Dragons too strong for Ulster

Dragons 30 Ulster 7

Celtic Cup champions Ulster ended their pre-season run of friendlies with a disappointing defeat to the Newport-Gwent Dragons at Rodney Parade, former Irish international Mark McCall's second successive loss as coach.

The Welsh side scored 18 unanswered points as prop Adam Black and right-wing Gareth Wyatt bagged first half tries.

Loose-head prop Chris Anthony and substitute centre Steve Winn completed the job in the second half, giving new coach Chris Anderson his first win of the season.

A near full-strength Ulster only came into their own in the final 20 minutes, eventually getting a deserved try from Ballymena and Ireland Sevens star Andrew Maxwell. Out-half Paddy Wallace added the conversion.

Afterwards McCall said: "We are disappointed with the result, but in some ways it was a perfect warm-up for the game against Edinburgh.

"They had all their Welsh internationals playing while we were shy a few of ours. But there are positive aspects to take out of the match and we are all looking forward to the competitive stuff starting."

Ulster begin their Celtic League campaign next Saturday, away to Edinburgh, the side who they defeated in last year's Celtic Cup final at Murrayfield.

Dragons: Kevin Morgan; Gareth Wyatt, Hal Luscombe, Jon Bryant, Nathan Brew; Ceri Sweeney, Gareth Baber; Adam Black, Steve Jones, Chris Anthony, Ian Gough, Michael Owen, Jamie Ringer, Jason Forster, Richard Bryan.

Replacements: James Richards, Rhys Thomas, Rod Snow, Ross Beattie, Rhys Oakley, Peter Sidoli, Rhodri Jones, Craig Warlow, Steve Winn, Ben Breeze.

Ulster: Bryn Cunningham; James Topping, Shane Stewart, Jonny Bell; Tommy Bowe; Paddy Wallace, Neil Doak; Ronan McCormack, Paul Shields, Rod Moore, Matt Mustchin, Rowan Frost, Andy Ward, Neil Best, Campbell Feather.

Replacements: Kieran Campbell, Paul Steinmetz, Seamus Mallon, Andrew Maxwell, Bryan Young, Nigel Brady, Simon Shawe, Tim Barker, Gary Brown.